How does melanin production change with aging?

How does melanin production change with aging?

• A. Decreased rate of melanin production
• B. Increases rate of melanin production
• C. No change in melanin production
• D. Melanin production stops

Answer: (A)

Melanin production slows with age because the pigment-producing cells in the skin and hair, melanocytes, become fewer and less active. This decline reduces the activity of the enzymes (like tyrosinase) needed to make melanin, so hair often gray or white and skin may become lighter overall. Changes aren’t due to a complete stop or a reversal to higher production; they reflect a gradual decrease in the rate of melanin synthesis. Localized areas of increased pigmentation (age spots) can occur with sun exposure, but the general trend with aging is a reduced melanin output.

Melanin production slows with age because the pigment-producing cells in the skin and hair, melanocytes, become fewer and less active. This decline reduces the activity of the enzymes (like tyrosinase) needed to make melanin, so hair often gray or white and skin may become lighter overall. Changes aren’t due to a complete stop or a reversal to higher production; they reflect a gradual decrease in the rate of melanin synthesis. Localized areas of increased pigmentation (age spots) can occur with sun exposure, but the general trend with aging is a reduced melanin output.